...Dozens of companies have rolled out tests that promise to tell users whether they have been exposed to the virus and therefore may have some kind of immunity — with the emphasis on “may.” These serology tests, which look for antibodies in blood that have the ability to fight off the virus, range from simple sticks to complex lab procedures.
But just as there have been problems with ramping up coronavirus tests, there may be a shortage of antibody tests. In some cases, the screenings require the same mixing liquids that are in short supply for those earlier tests, potentially sparking another round of fierce competition among states, cities and counties — and even the federal government — all vying for the same limited resources as more places begin immunity testing.
The reliability of the tests is also unknown, creating a marketplace where buyers should beware. And though most scientists hope the presence of antibodies does bring some immunity, no one yet knows how long it could last or whether it’s possible to get the virus more than once.
Still, public health officials are starting broader pilots of serology testing. In Los Angeles County, researchers released initial results finding that 4.1% of adults have antibodies to the virus in their blood, an indication of past exposure. That means hundreds of thousands of county residents may have been infected with the coronavirus by early April. But this and other studies show that we’re far away from achieving the “herd immunity” that, absent a vaccine, would be a key to returning to normal life.
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